DSLR Camera

[3PrinceMom]

I love all the photos taken on this type of camera. I might even take more pics if I had one. I have no clue where to start. Cameras out date so fast. I don't want to have to buy a new one every year of every other year. My iphone takes better pics than my current camera. So time for a new one. Any advice?

 

[usnuzuloose]

I bought the cannon t2i. I really love it. You can also explore the t3i. I would go to the photography board, they can give you more ideas as well.

 

[mrodgers]

Cameras out date so fast.

The Nikon D40 from about 2007 would still be an excellent camera.

New features come along all the time, yes, but that doesn't make an old camera junk like it does for computers. The biggest quality affect in a photo is the lens over the camera body.

 

[rock_doctor]

I also have a Canon T2i and really like it. Batteries, lenses and cases are easily available on ebay. Walmart right now has the T3i for much less then i paid for my T2i off the web. This the way i would go if i was in the market again. But and this is a big but...are you sure you want to carry around a big dSLR? I also have a Kodak C123 point and shoot that is waterproof. It is great 12mp and you can slip it into your pocket and since it is waterproof you don't have to worry about it getting dirty. I find on park days i carry the Kodak and on play days i carry the Canon.


I got my lenses, carry case and batteries off ebay and the travel case from Harbor Freight. HF has very nice aluminum cases for less then $30 and a nice lowepro case from ebay for less then $20.

 

[Muushka]

Buying a DSLR is only a portion of what it takes to take a good picture. Some people can take awesome pictures with point and shoot cameras.

Think of it this way. When someone brings a delicious dish to an event, does anyone ask what kind of pan they cooked it in?

As was mentioned, yes, cameras bells and whistles change all the time, but the basics never change. And a good lens is what to invest in.

 

[DisCookie]

Cannot really go wrong with a Canon or Nikon DSLR. If there was a good deal on another brand, I might go with those, but then you may have a more limited lenses to choose from and probably be more costly for the lenses.

The DSLRs can require a lot of tinkering with to getting the settings right, though a lot of point and shoots are coming with similar options these days. Did you have a budget in mind? I think that is really what is going to drive what you purchase.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

I have Canon Rebel from couple years ago. It came with a nice kit lens but I found that the success of diff photo situations def is dependent on the lens. Had to invest further in 2 more lens

 

[usnuzuloose]

The lenses are so expensive, I would love a wide lens, but I need to find a great deal.

 

[eliza61]

I love all the photos taken on this type of camera. I might even take more pics if I had one. I have no clue where to start. Cameras out date so fast. I don't want to have to buy a new one every year of every other year. My iphone takes better pics than my current camera. So time for a new one. Any advice?

So basically (and I'm a newbie but I did a lot of research before buying my dslr), a good camera body will last you many many years and as your skills with the camera grow you can add lenses. There are a kazillion lenses out there to expand your capability.

As I found out from folks here on the dis many people take absolutely fabulous pictures on old 35mm film cameras.

So start with what are you going to use the camera for. Will this be a hobby? Are you a newbie to the DSLR world?

I have a NIkon D3100 and love it. It is a great introductory level DSLR camera. very easy to use, although I'm still learning. I brought the kit so I got a zoom lens and a regular 18-55 mm lens.

hunt around for a introductory class on line. I took one that cost 20 bucks and gave me a good introduction to my cameras basics. You can read the manual but I'm the "keep it simple, stupid" type of gal. I found a website that broke it down to really, really easy explanations.

lastly try to get to a camera store and "hold" the different models.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Ditto what others have said. I love photography and have a Canon Rebel (XSi).

I bought my Rebel in 2008 and still use it on a regular basis. It's never failed me (knock on wood) and the only thing I really wish for is a higher ISO (but most of the time that's just at Disney on dark rides). Over the years I've spent thousands on lenses though- previous posters were right when they said to invest here. Also when it comes to "good glass" you're not going to find many deals unless you go used or wait for Canon rebates.

You can't go wrong with an entry level Canon (Rebel series) or Nikon. Like someone said- go to a store (best buy, a legit camera store, etc) and hold them in your hand. The wholesale retailers have some good deals, as well as amazon and the main camera sites- B&H (bhphotovideo.com) and Adorama. I buy my camera equipment from B&H almost exclusively.

The best advice I received was to just go with the kit lens and as your skills improve, then buy extra lenses because you'll have more knowledge and learn your preferences. I am glad I didn't buy those bundles they have out there (usually comes with an 18-55mm kit lens and the 75-300mm zoom). I would have never used the 75-300mm because I quickly wanted better quality glass. I borrowed a friend's and hated it.

As for the argument with a dSLR vs point and shoot... yes you can take great pictures with both (I've proven this myself) but if you really want to hone your skills and go from great pictures to amazing pictures- you aren't going to go with a P&S. You just have to decide what you want. You can get some great pictures with a superzoom as well if you want a little more than a regular P&S but not invest in lenses (Canon SX40HC for example). For me photography was a slippery slope! I thought I'd be happy with 1 or 2 lenses... that's somehow grown to 7 and I can list off two other's I'd like (both over $1K each)

 

[tinkerbell615]

My DH and I just purchased the Nikon D3100 for our DD for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. This is her first DSLR camera and she is already taking some awesome pictures. Photography is her passion. She isn't trying to make a living out of it, but she has already had a couple of people in the family ask her to take pictures for them.

She has a ton more to learn, but is always watching the DVD that we got her or tutorials online. I really think it was an awesome investment for us to make to purchase one for her.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[pintamino]

My DH and I just purchased the Nikon D3100 for our DD for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. This is her first DSLR camera and she is already taking some awesome pictures. Photography is her passion. She isn't trying to make a living out of it, but she has already had a couple of people in the family ask her to take pictures for them.

She has a ton more to learn, but is always watching the DVD that we got her or tutorials online. I really think it was an awesome investment for us to make to purchase one for her.

Good luck and have fun!

The one thing I'd think about when buying a Nikon vs Canon is that the new entry-level Nikons (3100, 5100) do not have the motor drive in the body - actually haven't since the 50/70. You can be talking a difference of $800+ to get in to a body with a motor drive though. That said I have a D40 that I still use (waiting to upgrade to the 7000), but there are some lenses that will NOT auto-focus because of this - I recently bought a 50mm 1.8 and didn't want the gelded lenses (aperture ring removed), so I had to give up autofocus. Canon you won't have this problem, at least not as recently as I was aware -- all Canon glass will autofocus on all Canon bodies.

 

[kpadalik]

I have a Pentax DSLR and I absolutely love it! I spent a LONG time researching DSLRs. I compared Pentax, Nikon, and Canon. Pentax was much more budget friendly. Another nice thing about Pentax is that any lens that they have ever made will fit any camera that they have made. So if you find an old lens that someone might be selling, it will fit a new camera. I am so happy that I chose Pentax over Nikon and Canon. Good luck!

 

[pyrxtc]

Olympus has some gorgeous entry level SLR's.

It is the person taking the pictures not the camera. I can take just as nice pictures on my point and shoot as I do on my SLR. The biggest difference is the zoom I can get with my lenses and the weight of the camera.

 

[pyrxtc]

Olympus has some gorgeous entry level SLR's.

It is the person taking the pictures not the camera. I can take just as nice pictures on my point and shoot as I do on my SLR. The biggest difference is the zoom I can get with my lenses and the weight of the camera.

 

[kpw77]

While having a DSLR opens up soo many doors, there is nothing wrong with having the point and shoot readily available. I too wondered this question last year before making a purchase. I chose the Nikon D3100, while I will agree that other models have more features, the D3100 breaks down every function for you with the click of a button. (Yes really!) However, you can also do the same by searcing on youtube.

I researched on youtube for several months, watching what they call "open box videos". I really like the D3100 and yes, it will stay current for quite some time as on of the other posters stated. But you have to figure some things yourself, what do YOU want out of the camera and your budget. Now don't let these things limit you as there are some great products out there!

Tip no. 2! Rent it! I didn't know this, but you can rent cameras and lenses. Try it out before your buy! Or test drive on youtube. Then you can shop for the best deal (usually when they bring a new body style out). One other thing with DSLR's and upper line point and shoots! There MAY not be anything wrong with a good used camera. If the person took care of it and there are no defects, might be able to save some $$.

Hope this helps and enjoy!

KpW